Conference program

November 22, 2011
Session 2
1:30 p.m.

Entrepreneurship and public financing: What do entrepreneurs and investors think?

The mineral potential of Québec attracts companies from around the world. The province also boasts one of the most competitive mining regimes. And both the necessary expertise and institutions ready to support mining entrepreneurship are available in the province. Yet despite these comparative advantages, only 6 of the 149 mining sector companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2010 were from Québec. Why? Entrepreneurs in the mining industry who have successfully taken the plunge will talk about their progress and how they managed a public company, and will offer some sensible advice. A panel of investors will also weigh in on the qualities they look for in a mining entrepreneur and his/her business plan.

1:50 p.m.

Panel of entrepreneurs
Simon Britt (Géoméga), Philippe Cloutier (Cartier Resources) and Glenn Mullan (Golden Valley Mines)

Questions for these entrepreneurs will focus on their motivation for turning to public financing, their choice of method, the consequences for their company, the composition of their boards of directors, the roles of their management teams, the challenges they face and what they have learned from their experiences.

2:55 p.m.

Panel of investors
Michel Champagne (SIDEX), Jacques Cossette (CIBC Wood Gundy) and Denis Landry (SODEMEX)

Questions for these investors will focus on their main investment criteria, and the indicators they use to assess, among other things, a company’s management team and the mineral potential of its projects. Also up for discussion is how best to conduct oneself and one’s business to earn their confidence.